Vehicle wheel alignment measurement system camera and adas calibration support structure

ABSTRACT

A support structure having a vertical element supporting a set of cameras associated with a vehicle measurement or inspection system together with at least one target structure required for realignment or recalibration of onboard vehicle safety system sensors. A camera crossbeam carried by the support structure locates the set of cameras as required to view a vehicle undergoing measurement or inspection. The target structure is affixed to the vertical element of the support structure, at an elevation suitable for observation by at least one vehicle onboard sensors during a realignment or recalibration procedure. A set of rollers facilitates positioning of the target structure on a supporting floor surface during a realignment or recalibration procedure.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is related to, and claims priority from, U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/403,783 filed on Oct. 4,2016, which is herein incorporated by reference.

The present application is further related to, and claims priority from,U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/406,659 filed on Oct.11, 2016, which is herein incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present application is related to a fixture for facilitating thecalibration and alignment of vehicle safety system sensors, and inparticular, to a movable fixture supporting vehicle wheel alignmentsystem imaging sensors and at least one calibration or alignment targetassociated with a vehicle safety system sensor.

Vehicle wheel measurement systems, such as wheel alignment or inspectionsystems employing machine vision technology, such as cameras observingoptical targets mounted on various surfaces within associated fields ofview are well known in the vehicle measurement, alignment, andinspection industry. Typically, these type of systems employ two or fourcameras, mounted to a crossbeam member on a fixture or structure locatedin front of a vehicle service area. The cameras are oriented such thateach wheel of a vehicle to be inspected (or target mounted thereon)within the service area is visible to at least one of the cameras. Thestructure supporting the camera crossbeam may be fixed in place, or maybe configured to be moved from one service area to another as needed.The camera crossbeam itself may be vertically (and/or rotationally)adjustable to accommodate vehicles at different elevations of a liftrack within the vehicle service. Images acquired by the cameras areconveyed to a wheel alignment processing system configured with suitablesoftware instructions for image evaluation, determining various spatialmeasurements associated with the observed surfaces, and ultimately foridentifying vehicle wheel alignment angles from associated spatialmeasurements.

When it is necessary to realign or recalibrate various vehicle safetysystem sensors, such as radar units or optical sensors typicallyutilized in forward collision avoidance systems or adaptive cruisecontrol systems, specialized structures are precisely positioned infront of the vehicle, often with the aid of a vehicle measurement systemsuch as a wheel alignment or inspection system. For example, U.S. Pat.No. 7,382,913 B2 to Dorrance describes a method and apparatus forguiding placement of a vehicle service apparatus relative to a vehicle,based on measurements acquired by a separate vehicle wheel alignmentmeasurement system. Other techniques for guiding placement of aspecialized structure relative to a vehicle undergoing a realignment orrecalibration of a vehicle safety system sensor include the use of laseremitters and leveling devices, such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,583,868B2 to Hopfenmuller.

The particular type and configuration of onboard sensors utilized in thesafety systems of vehicles vary between different vehicle manufacturers,and often, between different models of vehicles from the samemanufacturer. Different types of onboard sensors have differentrealignment or recalibration procedures, and often requiring thespecialized structures to be placed at different locations relative tothe vehicle. In some cases, the placement of the specialized structuresconflicts with the placement or positioning of the fixture or structuresupporting the cameras associated with the vehicle measurement system.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide a positionable fixture orsupport structure capable of supporting both the set of camerasassociated with a vehicle measurement system as well as the specializedstructures required for realignment or recalibration of onboard vehiclesafety system sensors, thereby reducing the total number of fixturesrequired to complete a vehicle onboard sensor realignment orrecalibration, and eliminating potential spatial conflicts betweensupport structures and specialized structures.

Some specialized structures or optical targets used in the alignment orcalibration of onboard vehicle safety system sensors cannot be securedto the positionable fixture or support structure. Accordingly, there isa need to provide a system to guide an operator in the proper placementof those specialized support structures or optical targets relative toeither the vehicle undergoing service or to the positionable fixture orsupport structure itself.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly stated, a first embodiment of the present disclosure sets fortha fixture or support structure having a vertical element supporting aset of cameras associated with a vehicle measurement system togetherwith at least one target structure required for realignment orrecalibration of onboard vehicle safety system sensors. A cameracrossbeam carried by the fixture or support structure locates the set ofcameras in a laterally spaced arrangement, as required to view wheels oneach side of a vehicle undergoing measurement, and is optionallyvertically (and/or rotationally) adjustable to accommodate the vehicledisposed at different elevations on an adjustable lift rack. The targetstructure is carried by the vertical element of the support structure,at an elevation suitable for observation by one or more vehicle onboardsensors during a realignment or recalibration procedure. To facilitaterequired positioning of the target structure during a realignment orrecalibration procedure, the target structure incorporates one or moreadjustable mountings, such as a sliding track or gimbal. Additionally,the fixture or support structure itself is configured with a set ofrollers for movement across a supporting floor surface in forwardproximity to the vehicle undergoing the measurement, inspection, oralignment service procedure.

A method of the present disclosure facilitates the positioning offixture or support structure having a vertical element supporting a setof cameras associated with a vehicle measurement system together with atleast one target structure required for realignment or recalibration ofonboard vehicle safety system sensors. Initially, with the fixture orsupport structure disposed generally in front of a vehicle undergoingmeasurement, wheel alignment, or inspection, a set of images acquired bythe cameras are conveyed to a processing system for evaluation, fromwhich the relationship between the set of cameras and the observedsurfaces on the vehicle is determined. Using the determinedrelationship, any required changes to the position of the fixture orsupport structure relative to the vehicle which are necessary to placeand align the target structure relative to the onboard vehicle safetysystem sensors are identified. The fixture or support structure is thenmoved as required, either automatically or manually. Optionally, theelevation, lateral position, pitch, yaw, or roll of the target structurerelative to the vertical element of the fixture or support structure isadjusted as required and/or permitted by associated mountings incombination with, or as an alternative to, movement of the fixture orsupport structure itself.

A further embodiment of the present disclosure sets forth a fixture orsupport structure having a vertical element supporting a set of camerasassociated with a vehicle measurement system, together with at least onegimbaled optical projector disposed to project optical indicia onto afloor surface in proximity to the fixture or support structure forguiding relative placement of vehicle service components. A cameracrossbeam carried by the fixture or support structure locates the set ofcameras in a laterally spaced arrangement, as required to view wheels oneach side of a vehicle undergoing measurement, wheel alignment, orinspection, and is optionally vertically (and/or rotationally)adjustable to accommodate the vehicle disposed at different elevationson an adjustable lift rack. The gimbaled optical projector is carried bythe camera crossbeam structure, and is operatively coupled to aprocessing system configured with software instructions to selectivelycontrol an orientation of the optical projector about one or more axisof rotation, enabling projection of optical indicia onto the floorsurface at selected locations relative to the vehicle or the supportstructure.

The foregoing features, and advantages set forth in the presentdisclosure as well as presently preferred embodiments will become moreapparent from the reading of the following description in connectionwith the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art wheel alignment measurementsystem camera structure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present disclosure,illustrating a camera support structure configured with a pair of targetstructures;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the camera support structure of FIG. 2disposed in proximity to a vehicle undergoing a measurement, inspection,or wheel alignment service;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the camera support structure of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a front view of the camera support structure of FIG. 2,illustrating tilting adjustments to the camera support boom and targetstructures;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the presentdisclosure, illustrating a camera support structure configured with apair of target structures together with a pair of gimbal-mounted opticalprojectors;

FIG. 7 is a close-up perspective view of a gimbal-mounted opticalprojector of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a top plan view similar to FIG. 3, illustrating opticalindicia projected with the optical projectors of FIG. 6.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several figures of the drawings. It is to be understood that thedrawings are for illustrating the concepts set forth in the presentdisclosure and are not to scale.

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way ofexample and not by way of limitation. The description enables oneskilled in the art to make and use the present disclosure, and describesseveral embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses ofthe present disclosure, including what is presently believed to be thebest mode of carrying out the present disclosure.

Turning to the figures, and to FIG. 2 in particular, a vehiclemeasurement system instrumentation fixture or support structure 100 isshown, having a vertical column 102 supporting a set of laterally spacedcamera modules 104 a, 104 b associated with a vehicle measurementsystem, such as a vehicle wheel alignment or inspection system, togetherwith at least one vehicle calibration assistance structure, consistingof a specialized target structure 400 a, 400 b, and/or an opticalprojector 500, utilized to facilitate a process for realigning orrecalibrating one or more safety system sensors onboard a vehicle 10undergoing a service procedure. The safety system sensors onboard thevehicle 10 may be any type of sensors known in the art for use invehicle safety systems, for example, digital cameras, an imaging sensor,a laser sensor (LIDAR), or a radar sensor. The safety system sensors maybe paired with an emitter, such as a laser emitter, an optical emitter,or a radar emitter to illuminate a field of view which is observed bythe associated safety system sensor.

On the support structure 100, a camera crossbeam 106 carried by thevertical column 102 locates the set of camera modules 104 a, 104 badjacent opposite longitudinal ends, each containing one or more cameras105 with fields of view in a generally forward direction as required toview each lateral side of the vehicle 10 undergoing service. The cameracrossbeam 106 is optionally vertically (and/or rotationally) adjustablerelative to the vertical column 102 to permit adjustments to accommodateelevational changed to the vehicle located on an adjustable lift rack(not shown) in proximity to the support structure 100. Verticaladjustments to the camera crossbeam 102 may be by any conventionalmeans, such as sliding rails, rod and screw mechanisms, pulleymechanism, etc. The mechanism for vertical adjustments can be manuallyactuated, or may be driven by a suitable motor under either operatormanual control or automatic software control. Rotational adjustments ofthe camera crossbeam about a longitudinal axis, if provided for, aboutthe longitudinal axis of the crossbeam may be by any conventional means,and may be manually actuated, or may be driven by a suitable motoreither under manual control of an operator or under automatic softwarecontrol. As an alternative to rotationally adjusting the cameracrossbeam 102, individual camera modules 104 a, 104 b may be optionallyconfigured with suitable coupling mechanisms to permit multi-axisindependent movement as required to achieve desired fields of view withthe cameras 105.

It will be recognized that while the embodiments of the vehiclemeasurement system instrumentation structure illustrated in the Figuresand described above utilize a vertical column 102 and a camera crossbeam106, other configurations of a camera support structure 100 may beutilized without departing from the scope of the present invention. Forexample, in place of the vertical column 102 and camera crossbeam 106, acamera support structure 100 may consist of a pair of articulated camerasupport arms to position individual cameras in laterally spacedarrangements as required to achieve the fields of view necessary toobserve features or targets associated with a vehicle undergoing a wheelalignment service, measurement, or inspection.

The camera modules 104 a, 104 b are operatively coupled to a processingsystem 300, which may be disposed in an associated console 302 inproximity to the fixture or support structure 100. The processing system300 is configured with suitable logic circuit components and withsoftware instructions for receiving image data from the camera modules104 a, 104 b, evaluating the image data to identify relative spatialpositions of observed surfaces, such as optical targets disposed on thewheels 12 or surfaces of a vehicle 10, and for computing associatedvehicle characteristics, such as wheel alignment angles or vehicle bodyposition. It will be understood that the configuration of the processingsystem 300, camera modules 104 a, 104 b, and console 302 are generallyknown in the art of machine vision vehicle wheel alignment systems, andmay vary from the specific configuration described herein withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, so long as the processingsystem 300 is capable of determining at least the spatial position ofone or more observed surfaces associated with the vehicle relative tothe camera modules 104 a, 104 b.

To facilitate alignment and calibration of safety system sensors onboarda vehicle, such as radar, LIDAR or optical sensors, one embodiment ofthe vehicle calibration assistance structure includes at least onetarget structure 400 a and/or 400 b affixed to the camera supportstructure 100, such as to the vertical column 102 or camera crossbeam106, by a multi-axis mounting fixture 402. Each target structure 400 a,400 b includes an observable target face oriented in a generally forwarddirection from the fixture or support structure 100 (i.e., towards thevehicle service area), at an elevation generally suitable forobservation by the safety system sensors onboard the vehicle 10 during arealignment or recalibration procedure. The specific configuration ofthe target structures 400 a, 400 b, such as the target face features, isrelated to, and will vary with, the specific type of safety systemsensor for which it will be used. For example, an optical target 400 ahaving retro-reflective or contrasting target face surface features maybe provided for use with optical safety system sensors such as camerasor LIDAR. Correspondingly, a metallic or radar-reflective target 400 bmay be provided for use with radar-based safety system sensors.Optionally, a laser emitter (not shown) configured for pivotingadjustment about at least one axis may be associated with the targetstructure 400 a, 400 b for use in illuminating a point or line on thevehicle or nearby floor surface to aiding in positioning and/ororienting either the target structure 400 a, 400 b individually, or thecamera support structure 100 itself.

As seen in the various figures, multiple individual target structures ofeither the same or different types, may be secured to the verticalcolumn 102 at different vertical elevations or horizontal separations.

The mounting fixture 402 may be a fixed mount which secures the targetstructures 400 a, 400 b in a fixed position and orientation relative tothe vertical column 102, or optionally, may include suitable multi-axismechanisms for adjusting the lateral position, vertical position, and/ororientation of the target structures 400 a, 400 b over a limited rangerelative to the vertical column 102, such as may be required for safetysystem sensors offset from a vehicle centerline CL or thrust line TLafter the fixture or support structure 100 is disposed generally infront of the vehicle, as seen in FIG. 3. For example, a lateral supporttrack 404 shown in FIGS. 2-5 may be coupled to the mounting fixture 402,parallel to the camera crossbeam 106 to support a target structure forsliding movement, enabling a lateral position of a target structure 400a to be adjusted.

In one embodiment, to facilitate positioning of the fixture or supportstructure 100 generally at the vehicle centerline CL and to enable theset of camera modules 104 a, 104 b to view features on each lateral sideof the vehicle 10, the fixture or support structure 100 is provided inone embodiment with a base structure 108 having a set of rollingelements, such as casters or wheels 109. During use, the fixture orsupport structure 100 is manually rolled into a position at a selecteddistance from the front of the lift rack or support surface on which thevehicle 10 is disposed during the measurement, inspection, or wheelalignment service procedure. Different vehicles may require the fixtureor support structure 100 to be positioned at different locationsrelative to the vehicle. An optional locking mechanism may be providedon at least one of the rolling elements, to prevent accidental movementof the fixture or support structure 100 during use.

Precise position of the fixture or support structure 100 to place thetarget structure 400 in an ideal location for use may optionally becarried out under the guidance of the processing system 300 in responseto data acquired through the processing of images acquired by the cameramodules 104 a, 104 b. For example, with the fixture or support structure100 positioned generally on the centerline CL of a vehicle 10 as seen inFIG. 3, the camera modules 104 a, 104 b can acquires images associatedwith the front and rear wheels 12 on each lateral side of the vehicle,from which the processing system 300 can identify the position of thefixture or support structure relative to either a geometric centerlineCL or a thrust line TL of the vehicle 10. If adjustments to the positionof the fixture or support structure 100 relative to either the vehicle'sgeometric centerline CL or thrust line TL are required, suitableguidance can be provided to the operator by the processing system 300based on the determined relative position of the fixture or supportstructure. The guidance may be in any of a variety of formats, suchnumerical (i.e., 2″ to the left), symbolic (i.e., an indication arrowand/or sliding bar graph), or audible (i.e., a tone or sound when thecorrect position is reached). The guidance may be static guidance, inwhich no updates to the position data are acquired until the fixture orsupport structure is stationary, or alternatively, the guidance may bedynamic, in which the processing system 300 receives images from thecamera modules 104 a, 104 b during movement of the fixture or supportstructure, and provides sequentially updated or “live” instructions tothe operator to aid in precise positioning of the fixture or supportstructure relative to the vehicle 10.

It will be recognized that positioning of the fixture or supportstructure 100 may, in an alternative embodiment, be automated and undercontrol of the processing system 300 via commands to suitable mechanicaldrive mechanisms, such as stepper motors, for driving the rollingelements or other means of machine controlled locomotion.

Positioning of the fixture or support structure 100, if adjustable, maybe along just a single axis which is generally transverse to the vehiclecenterline CL (i.e., from side to side), or may additionally be along asecond axis which is generally parallel to the vehicle centerline CL(i.e., towards or away from the vehicle). A vertical height of the setof the camera modules 104 a, 104 b may optionally be adjusted by raisingor lowering the camera crossbeam 106 along the vertical column 102.

Once the fixture or support structure is positioned at a desiredlocation relative to the vehicle 10, adjustments to the position andorientation of the target structure 400 a, 400 b relative to thevertical column 102 for proper placement within a field of viewassociated with the onboard vehicle safety system sensors can via themounting fixture 402. Suitable adjustment mechanisms within the mountingfixture 402 may include, but are not limited to, ball and socketconnections, pivot arms, and the sliding rail or track 404. With thetarget structure 400 a, 400 b positioned at the desired locationrelative to the vehicle, and more specifically, relative to an onboardvehicle sensor, measurement, alignment, or calibration of the onboardvehicle sensor can proceed as understood in the art, by observing orilluminating the target structure 400 and responding accordingly.

In a further embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6-8, the vehiclecalibration assistance structure includes one or more optical projectors500 operatively coupled to, and under control of, the processing system300, for the projection of visible indicia 501 on to surfaces inproximity to the fixture or support structure, utilized to aid in theplacement or alignment of vehicle service fixtures or targets. Theoptical projectors 500 illustrated in FIG. 6-8 comprise a pair of lasermodules 500 a and 500 b, mounted on a set 502 of motorized gimbalstructures secured to the camera support beam 106. The laser modules 500a, 500 b are disposed in a laterally spaced arrangement, in proximity tothe camera modules 104 a and 104 b, enabling projection of visibleindicia onto surfaces adjacent each lateral side of the vehicle 10located within the vehicle service area, as shown in FIG. 8. As bestseen in FIG. 7, each laser module 500 a, 500 b includes at least onelaser emitter 504 secured to the set 502 of motorized gimbal structuresfor rotational movement about three orthogonal axis (X, Y, Z).Optionally, a second laser emitter 506 is supported by a rotatingelement 508 on the mounting structure 502, for rotation about anadditional axis R, enabling projected indicia to be visually correctedfor parallax distortion resulting from non-orthogonal projectionorientations. The laser emitters 504 and 506 each transmit beams 507 ofvisible light through associated optical focusing elements to projectthe visible indicia in the form of spots or lines, onto the surfaces. Itwill be recognized that the optical projectors 500 may utilized othersources of visible light, such as LED elements, and associated opticalfocusing elements in place of the laser emitters 504, 506 to projectvisible indicia onto the surfaces without departing from the scope ofthe present disclosure. Furthermore, the specific number of axis aboutwhich the optical projectors 500 are configured for movement may varybased on the intended use of the projected visible indicia. For example,optical projectors 500 intended to project visible indicia at a fixedlocation relative to the fixture or support structure 100 may be mountedin a fixed orientation, while optical projectors such as 500 a and 500 bwhich are intended to project visible indicia relative onto surfaces atlocations relative to an initially indeterminate vehicle location aremounted for rotational movement about multiple axis.

During a vehicle wheel alignment service, measurement, or inspectionprocedure, the processing system 300 is configured to control the set502 of multi-axis gimbal mounting structures, and optional rotatingelement 508, to orient each laser emitter 504, 506 to project theobservable indicia 501 at a selected location on a surface in proximityto the fixture or support structure 100. The observable indicia 501 mayrepresent a stationary point location to aid in the placement of avehicle service fixture, or may represent lines or boundaries againstwhich an elongated planar optical target 600 or other vehicle servicedevice may be aligned. The processing system 300 may optionally controlthe set of multi-axis gimbal mounting structures to impart motion to theprojected indicia, such as to sequentially illuminate two or morediscrete locations on said surface. Indicia other than points or lines,such as alphanumeric symbols, or raster images, may be projected undercontrol of the processing system 300 from suitably configured opticalprojectors 500 within the scope of the present disclosure.

The selected location of the observable indicia 501 on the surface maybe determined by the processing system 300 in response to spatialmeasurements of associated with the vehicle 10 acquired from imagescaptured by the camera modules 104, or may be selected to be relative toa component of the fixture or support structure 100, such as an axis ofthe support column 102. For example, some vehicle safety system sensorcalibration procedures require the placement of target structures,observable by onboard vehicle safety system sensors, at select locationsrelative to the vehicle. Specific placement requirements associated withsafety system calibration procedures for a variety of vehicle makes andmodels may be stored in a database accessible to the processing system300. After determining measurements associated with the relative spatialposition of the vehicle 10 to the fixture or support structure 100, suchas by conventional machine vision vehicle alignment measurementprocedures, the processing system 300 is configured to access theaccessible database to recall the specific placement requirements forvisible targets or calibrations fixtures associated with the vehicle.Utilizing the recalled placement requirements, the processing system 300operates the set 502 of motorized gimbal mounting structures to orientthe optical projectors to project visible indicia at the appropriatelocations on the floor surface of the vehicle service area, enabling anoperator to carry out or complete a vehicle service, calibration, orinspection procedure.

In addition to operating the set of motorized gimbal mounting structuresto orient the optical projectors to project the visible indicia at theselected locations on the floor surface, the processing system 300 maybe further configured to provide for motion stabilization of theprojected visible indicia in response to movement of the fixture orsupport structure 100. Motion stabilization, via control of the set ofmotorized gimbal mounting structures, may be provided by the processingsystem 300 to maintain the projected visible indicia at the selectedlocation during movement of the base 108 across the floor surface, aswell as during vertical movement of the camera crossbeam 106.

The present disclosure can be embodied in-part in the form ofcomputer-implemented processes and apparatuses for practicing thoseprocesses. The present disclosure can also be embodied in-part in theform of computer program code containing instructions embodied intangible media, or another computer readable non-transitory storagemedium, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into, andexecuted by, an electronic device such as a computer, micro-processor orlogic circuit, the device becomes an apparatus for practicing thepresent disclosure.

The present disclosure can also be embodied in-part in the form ofcomputer program code, for example, whether stored in a non-transitorystorage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, ortransmitted over some transmission medium, wherein, when the computerprogram code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computerbecomes an apparatus for practicing the present disclosure. Whenimplemented in a general-purpose microprocessor, the computer programcode segments configure the microprocessor to create specific logiccircuits.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions withoutdeparting from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

1. A vehicle measurement system instrumentation structure, comprising: abase unit; a camera support structure affixed to said base unit; a pairof camera modules secured in a laterally spaced arrangement to saidcamera support structure, each of said camera modules including at leastone camera aligned such that associated fields of view are oriented in aforward direction towards a vehicle position within a vehicle servicearea, generally transverse to said laterally spaced arrangement of saidcamera modules; a processing system operatively coupled to said camerasto receive data there from, said processing system having a processorconfigured with a set of instructions to evaluate data received fromsaid cameras to determine a set of measurements associated with avehicle within said associated fields of view, said set of measurementsincluding a plurality of vehicle alignment measurements associated withwheels of the vehicle, together with at least one measurement of aspatial relationship between said camera support structure and saidvehicle, and; at least one vehicle calibration assistance structuresecured to said camera support structure by a mounting fixture includingan adjustment mechanism configured to position and/or orient said atleast one vehicle calibration assistance structure relative to saidcamera support structure independently from a position and orientationof said pair of camera modules, said vehicle calibration assistancestructure configured to facilitate an alignment or calibration of asafety system component of a vehicle.
 2. The vehicle measurement systeminstrumentation structure of claim 1 wherein said camera supportstructure includes: a vertical support column affixed to said base unit;a crossbeam carried by said vertical support column; wherein at leastone camera from said set of camera modules is disposed adjacent eachlongitudinal end of said crossbeam; and wherein said mounting fixture iscarried by said crossbeam.
 3. The vehicle measurement systeminstrumentation structure of claim 2 wherein said crossbeam isvertically movable along a portion of said vertical support column. 4.The vehicle measurement system instrumentation structure of claim 2wherein said crossbeam is rotatable about a longitudinal axis.
 5. Thevehicle measurement system instrumentation structure of claim 1 whereinsaid at least one vehicle calibration assistance structure includes atleast one target structure coupled to said adjustment mechanism, saidtarget structure having an observable target face oriented substantiallyin said forward direction towards said vehicle position.
 6. The vehiclemeasurement system instrumentation structure of claim 5 wherein saidprocessing system includes an operator interface, said operatorinterface including at least one input device, and at least one outputdevice; and wherein said processor is further configured with a set ofsoftware instructions to communicate with said operator interface. 7.The vehicle measurement system instrumentation structure of claim 6wherein said base unit is configured for movement across a supportingsurface; and wherein said processor is further configured with a set ofsoftware instructions to process said received data to provide an outputthrough said operator interface directing a movement of said base unitacross said supporting surface.
 8. (canceled)
 9. The vehicle measurementsystem instrumentation structure of claim 6 wherein said processor isfurther configured with a set of software instructions to process saidreceived data to provide an output through said operator interfacedirecting a change in said position, a change in said orientation, orchanges in both said position and said orientation, of said targetstructure.
 10. The vehicle measurement system instrumentation structureof claim 6 wherein said processor is further configured with a set ofsoftware instructions to process said received data to actuate saidadjustment mechanism to alter said position, to alter said orientation,or to alter both said position and said orientation, of said targetstructure.
 11. The vehicle measurement system instrumentation structureof claim 1 further including at least one optical projection systemcarried by said camera support structure, said optical projection systemincluding at least one optical projector and a mounting structure forrotational movement about at least one axis; and wherein said processingsystem is operatively coupled to said at least one optical projectionsystem to activate said at least one optical projector to project avisible indicia onto a surface in proximity to said vehicle measurementsystem instrumentation structure, and to control an orientation of aprojection axis for said at least one optical projector.
 12. The vehiclemeasurement system instrumentation structure of claim 11 wherein said atleast one optical projector is a laser emitter.
 13. The vehiclemeasurement system instrumentation structure of claim 11 wherein saidprocessing system is configured to control said orientation of saidprojection axis to project said visible indicia at a location relativeto said vehicle based on said determined set of measurements associatedwith the vehicle.
 14. A vehicle measurement system instrumentationstructure, comprising: a base unit; a camera support structure affixedto said base unit; a pair of camera modules secured in a laterallyspaced arrangement to said camera support structure, each of said cameramodules including at least one camera aligned such that associatedfields of view are oriented in a forward direction towards a vehicleposition within a vehicle service area, generally transverse to saidlaterally spaced arrangement of said camera modules; a processing systemoperatively coupled to said cameras to receive data there from, saidprocessing system having a processor configured with a set ofinstructions to evaluate data received from said cameras to determine aset of measurements associated with a vehicle within said associatedfields of view, said set of measurements including at least a spatialrelationship between said camera support structure and said vehicle; atleast one vehicle calibration assistance structure carried by saidcamera support structure, said vehicle calibration assistance structureconfigured to facilitate an alignment or calibration of a safety systemcomponent of a vehicle; wherein said at least one vehicle calibrationassistance structure includes at least one optical projection systemcarried by said camera support structure, said optical projection systemincluding at least one optical projector and a mounting structureincluding a set of motorized gimbals configured for rotational motionabout three orthogonal axes; and wherein said processing system isoperatively coupled to said at least one optical projection system toactivate said at least a first optical projector to project a visibleindicia onto a surface in proximity to said vehicle measurement systeminstrumentation structure, and is configured to control an orientationof a projection axis for said at least one optical projector byselectively driving said set of motorized gimbals.
 15. The vehiclemeasurement system instrumentation structure of claim 14 wherein saidmounting structure further includes a second optical projector, saidsecond optical projector coupled to a rotational mount carried by saidset of motorized gimbals for rotational movement about a fourth axis.16. The vehicle measurement system instrumentation structure of claim 15wherein said processing system is configured to control said rotationalmount to alter a projection axis of said second optical projector tocorrect for parallax distortion in projected visible indicia generatedby a combination of said first and second optical projectors.
 17. Thevehicle measurement system instrumentation structure of claim 14 whereinsaid at least one optical projection system is carried by a verticallymovable component of said camera support structure; and wherein saidprocessing system is further configured to drive said mounting structureto maintain a projected visible indicia at a selected location on saidsurface during vertical movement of said component.
 18. The vehiclemeasurement system instrumentation structure of claim 14 wherein saidbase unit is movable over a supporting floor; and wherein saidprocessing system is further configured to drive said mounting structureto maintain a projected visible indicia at a selected location on saidsurface during movement of said base unit.
 19. A method for alignment ofa specialized target mounted on a vehicle measurement systeminstrumentation structure relative to a vehicle disposed within avehicle service area during a measurement or calibration procedureassociated with the vehicle, comprising: observing, via a set of camerassupported on said vehicle measurement system instrumentation structure,image data representative of surfaces or features associated with saidvehicle; processing, within a processing system, said image data fromsaid set of cameras to determine a set of measurements associated withsaid vehicle, said set of measurements including at least one vehiclealignment angle measurement and at least one measurement of a spatialrelationship between said vehicle measurement system instrumentationstructure and said vehicle; and responsive to said set of measurements,altering at least one of a position, an orientation, or both a positionand orientation of said specialized target relative to said set ofcameras on said vehicle measurement system instrumentation structure toalign said specialized target with said vehicle; and an orientation of aprojection axis associated with an optical projector carried by saidvehicle measurement system instrumentation structure to project avisible indicia onto a surface in proximity to said vehicle measurementsystem instrumentation structure.
 20. A vehicle measurement systeminstrumentation structure, comprising: a base unit configured forplacement on a floor surface of a vehicle service area; a camera supportstructure affixed to said base unit; a set of camera modules secured ina laterally spaced arrangement to said camera support structure, atleast one camera within each of said set of camera modules aligned suchthat an associated field of view is orientated in a forward directiontowards a vehicle position within the vehicle service area, transverseto said laterally spaced arrangement of the camera modules; a processingsystem operatively coupled to said cameras to receive data there from,said processing system having a processor configured with a set ofinstructions to evaluate data received from said cameras to determine aset of measurements associated with a vehicle within said associatedfields of view, said set of measurements including at least one vehiclealignment measurement and at least one measurement of a spatialrelationship between said camera support structure and said vehicle; atarget structure secured to an adjustment mechanism coupled to amounting fixture carried by said camera support structure, saidadjustment mechanism configured to position and/or orient said targetstructure to face the vehicle position independently of a positionand/or orientation of said set of camera modules; and an opticalprojector carried by said camera support structure and configured toproject a visible marking onto a surface in proximity to said base unit.